Born in Syracuse, May 1935, Joe is the only member of his family to emigrate.

In 1955 he started working with a shipping company of Genoa, often 12 to 14 months at sea. Specialists in cargo transport from 'Italy to France, England, India, Spain and the United States too. In 1959, came to the United States, he met his future wife, were engaged. He continued to work with the company until 1964 before returning to USA marrying his fiance’.

In the United States, Joe has worked mainly in construction and the local water company where he spent so many years.

Member of society 'Saint Lucia of Syracuse. Responsible for organizing the feast of Saint Lucia in Hartford.

Joe has always worked in shipping and so was accustomed to spend 14 months away. For the first time in his life in the U.S. he experienced returning home from work and with his family.

Married with two daughters, one son and 5 grandchildren.

Joe often comes back to Syracuse and also would like to return to live there but of course the family life will not allow it.

I asked Joe how common was contrband back then, mid 1950's. Apparently workers were very careful and would only take care of their own needs, almost never buy to resell.

But it was not uncommon, in those day, for people with money to approach the owner of a shipping vessel and offer plenty of money to make a trip to Malta, pick up coffee and cigarettes, and bring it all back to Siracusa for re-sale! Of course if you got caught you lost the boat!

The next several pictures donated by Joe Eliggio depict the widely celebrated Festa of Saint Lucia in Hartford, which Joe was instrumental in organizing during much of the 1970's.